Mr. Raj Khosla, Founder and MD MyMoneyMantra delivered the keynote speech and set the tone for summit in the inaugural session. Prof. (Dr.) Neelu Rohmetra, Director, IIM Sirmaur presided over the event.

In his keynote speech during the inaugural session, Mr. Raj Khosla, Founder and MD, MyMoneyMantra touted IIM Sirmaur as the epitome of Swacha Bharat. He mentioned how the institute has correctly recognized that an enduring relationship between industry and academia is imperative. He drew from his personal and professional experiences accentuating how leadership is integral and an all-encompassing variable that inspires people to perform beyond their capabilities. He shared the key ingredients of leadership such as self-belief, conviction, optimism, self-confidence, cheerfulness and fearlessness and an uncanny, surreal sense of anticipation. He mentioned how a true leader crafts and weaves a happy work environment and is perceptive enough to recognize that one size doesn’t fit all. Drawing upon from the world of cricket and politics, he further mentioned that a true leader breeds leaders by nurturing, developing and cloning his talent. He emphasized that leadership is acting one step ahead of the curve. Finally, he closed his remarks by underscoring how unlearning which is about letting go of ideas and processes that have outlived their utilities is as important as learning.

While declaring the Leadership Summit open in her presidential address, Prof. (Dr.) Neelu Rohmetra solicited everyone to stay associated with the Institute and strive to propel it by contributing in their own ways. She mentioned how IIM Sirmaur takes pride in constantly endeavouring with high spirit. She further accentuated how the Institute has grown by leaps and bounds by garnering step by step support, venturing into some highly enterprising initiatives and most importantly through the incessant and concerted commitments of the students, faculties and administration alike. She acknowledged that the social upliftment of the society is directly contingent on connecting to the grassroots problems and creating opportunities out of those problems. She mentioned how imperative it is to keep the ego aside and how leadership is all about reaching out to the aspirations of the people. According to her “Leadership is chasing the hearts; the expectations and the feelings of the people one works with and works for”, she said. She summed up her words by saying “Leadership is about staying in the background but coming forward, when the team needs you”.

The industry speakers shared their opinion and drew upon their experiences to the larger benefit of young student participants. The Summit throughout the day spread across four technical sessions under four sub themes as: Millennials Treading the Road to Leadership, Inspirational Leadership, Integrated Leadership and Contemporary Leadership: Behaviour and Practices.

During the first technical session on Millennials Treading the Road to Leadership, the panellists Mr. Mohit Grover (Associate Director, Ibibo Group) and Mr. Sanjay Banerjee (Partner, Amrop India) revolved around the theme “Millennials Treading the Road to Leadership”. Mr Soumendra Mattagajasingh (GM, ICICI Bank) talked about sharp contrasts between the world’s leadership and millennials. The stereotypes associated with millennials and changing paradigms of leadership with millennials playing a key role. They emphasized that the basic values are still the same but the need of leadership is changing. They suggested ways to engage millennials in the organization and suggested that begin unique is the key. We need to conserve our values and innovate constantly since change is the only constant, they expressed.

The second technical session was held on the theme “Inspirational Leadership”. The panellists were Ms. Snigdha Majumder (Chief Operating Officer, IDfy), Mr. Prakash Singh Bisht (Deputy GM, Zonal HR Head-North, ICICI Bank) and Mr. Pankaj Suri (Director-HR, Edelman India) talked about their personal experiences and examples of their mentors, the panelists identified that self-belief, and inward inspirational vision, an irrational hope for the future and the communication of the why are the key qualities of inspiring leadership. The basis for this is the value system inculcated in the institutions that we have been part of and is reflected in the life that we will lead as future leaders.